For the Media/PSA
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Gam-Anon offers hope and help when a loved one has a gambling problem. Living with the effects of someone else’s gambling problem is too devastating for most people to bear without help. Financial problems are common, and loved ones often feel alone, frightened, desperate and ashamed about the problem in their family.
Gam-Anon is an anonymous fellowship that offers self-help recovery for anyone whose life has been affected by someone with a gambling problem. In Gam-Anon, family and friends learn effective ways of coping whether or not the gambler seeks help or even recognizes the existence of a gambling problem.
There are no dues or fees. Information about where to find help, including a national meeting list, can be found at www.gam-anon.org . Gam-Anon supports family members and friends in finding answers to such questions as:
- Am I living with a compulsive gambler? Visit www.gam-anon.org and click the dropdown tab GAM-ANON CAN HELP "How Someone Else's Gambling Affects Us" to address this question.
- What is my role as the spouse, parent, or loved one of a compulsive gambler?
- How can I be of the greatest help to the person who joins Gamblers Anonymous?
- Or, if my gambler continues to gamble, how can I live with this problem?
- How can I deal with my anger, fear and resentment?
- Will I ever be able to trust the gambler again?
In Gam-Anon the member will experience relief from anxiety by accepting the fact of powerlessness over the problem in the family. The heavy load of responsibility for the gambling problem is lifted and the guilt in regard to failures is gradually alleviated. The energy wasted in attempts to stop loved ones from gambling can be channeled into more useful methods of problem solving.
Local hotline phone numbers and meeting lists are available at www.gam-anon.org
Those seeking more information can also contact the Gam-Anon International Service Office at (718) 352-1671.
INFORMATION FOR THE MEDIA
Gam-Anon welcomes the opportunity to inform the general public about the Gam-Anon program. Our members who agree to be interviewed or to speak before a group about the Gam-Anon program and how the gambling problem has affected their lives are also representing Gam-Anon and will follow these Gam-Anon guidelines.
Gam-Anon follows the tradition of protecting the anonymity of our members. Members who choose to speak to groups in person do not give identifying information such as full name, where they live or work. Members who agree to be interviewed on television will be shown in shadow and may ask that voices be disguised.
Members who are interviewed on radio may ask that voices be disguised. Members who are interviewed for the print media will not permit a picture to be taken. As Gam-Anon has no opinion on legal or illegal gambling, politics, religion, or the medical definitions of gambling and treatment of gambling, we request that those questions are not asked.
If asked, our members will respond with the statement that Gam-Anon has no opinion.
Requests for information about Gam-Anon, interviews or speakers are directed to the Gam-Anon International Service Office Inc. at
GAM-ANON® INTERNATIONAL SERVICE OFFICE, INC.
P.O. BOX 307
MASSAPEQUA PARK, NEW YORK
11762
718-352-1671
www.gam-anon.org